" I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning to sail my ship." Aeschylus
At Forward House, we understand that individuals are empowered to
heal, to grow and to thrive who are equipped with relevant
information and liberal opportunity to discuss ideas.
Education for our client-, volunteer-, staff- and community-partners
constitutes our primary purpose in concert with activities to
enhance social connection.
FORWARD HOUSE UNIVERSITY:
Every Wednesday morning, our Education Co-ordinator facilitates
discussions about subjects chosen to help motivate, instruct,
unburden and expand outlook. These classes pack the room to the
rafters! Included among many issues explored are these:
compassionate communication
constructive emotions
music and the mind
stress reduction
personality development
mindfulness
Our students also stretch their comfort zones and self-awareness
by facilitating classes for their fellow students in areas of
personal interest and general importance, such as these:
core beliefs
virtues
emotional awareness
fear
psychology of science fiction
organic chemistry
languages
EDUCATION BURSARY: Camelot Homes generously endows
our university with an annual bursary awarded to the successful
applicant wishing to pursue post-secondary academic or general
interest courses.
LIFE SKILLS:
Basic skills for healthy autonomy and employment readiness are
enhanced through weekly fun, hands-on instruction. Our participants
gain experience in these and other key areas:
budgeting and banking
management of special diets
personal cleanliness
FoodSafe
first aid
emergency preparedness
IN-SERVICE SESSIONS
Our volunteers and staff benefit from monthly in-service instruction
about these and other subjects important to self care and
responsible service delivery:
boundaries/limit setting
grieving loss
cognitive disorders
personality disorders
affective and thought disorders
'care for the caregiver'
healing touch
Additionally, staff are financially supported in the
development of professional skills.
Resource directories: Paths to Wellness I
and II provide information about mental health and
addictions issues. The client-partners who have written the
directories also offer personal insights about coping with illness
and practical tips on preparing for medical and legal appointments.
Personal Stories: There and Back Again and
Self-Portrait illuminate the process of recovery and
reconnection with self and community through the powerful subjective
voice of some of those on that challenging journey.
These volumes are published through Human Voice Press, a
program of Forward House
Documentary films: Our 'First Contact' series
was written and crewed by our client-partners to inform persons
recently diagnosed with mental illness or addiction issues and to
encourage them to reach out to appropriate supports. Films now
available are:
Pickin' Up the Pieces (about depression)
Up and Down with Bi-Polar (about bi-polar affective
disorder)
Looking in the Mirror: Facing Addiction
Living with Panic and Anxiety
Living with the Voices (about Schizophrenia)
Mental Health in Perspective (provides an overview
of the influence of social constructs, philosophical and religious
beliefs and medicine on the treatment of persons with mental
illness, and follows one patient who has been unresponsive to
conventional treatments)
These films are available through the public library system,
Sprott-Shaw Community College, Vancouver Island University and
Amazon Books. Living with the Voices is used by
permission by the International Schizophrenia Foundation to help
raise awareness and funds for treatment.
Members of a graduating class of
Forward House University
